Important!
Change in RIF Program Eligibility Criteria

Dear RIF Coordinator,

As you know, RIF's highest priority is reaching underserved children from birth to age 8. Currently, in addition to the National Literacy Act of 1991 risk factors, renewing programs must demonstrate that 50 percent or more of the children participating in the program meet eligibility criteria for free and reduced price meals and new programs seeking federal funds must demonstrate that 80 percent or more of the children participating meet those same eligibility criteria.

Given limited federal funding and resources, RIF's Board of Directors recently approved changes to these criteria that will affect all programs with October 31, 2009 end dates and later:

• Renewing RIF programs seeking federal funds must demonstrate that 55 percent or more of the children served through the program meet eligibility criteria for the free and reduced price meals.

This change will impact programs upon renewal beginning with programs that have end dates of October 31, 2009. No change has been made to the criteria for new programs seeking RIF funding and these eligibility criteria do not apply to locally funded RIF programs (i.e., RIF programs that raise all funds locally).

In addition, as RIF's Board of Directors continues to focus on children at highest risk, the economic criteria RIF programs must meet to receive federal funding may increase in the years to come.

Clearly, these changes will have an impact on the children who receive books through federally funded RIF programs. I encourage each coordinator to reflect on the needs of his/her community and consider serving schools (or sites) that are in greatest need. I also ask each of you to consider opportunities for local fundraising.

Click here to view information that will assist in reporting your program's free and reduced price meal data or equivalent measures of economic need. Please feel free to contact your program account representative at 1-877-RIF-READ, if you have any additional questions. Thank you for your commitment to children's literacy and your efforts on behalf of Reading Is Fundamental.

Sincerely,

Carol Rasco
President and CEO

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